Red Bull Praises Yuki Tsunoda Amid F1 Seat Speculation

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has lauded Yuki Tsunoda's recent performance as the Japanese driver's Formula 1 future hangs in the balance. Tsunoda, who stepped into Red Bull's senior team earlier this year, has shown flashes of pace but has also faced challenges extracting consistent performance from the car alongside Max Verstappen, scoring points in just six of 18 Grands Prix.

Why it matters:

Red Bull is currently assessing its driver lineups for both the main team and its sister Racing Bulls outfit for the upcoming season. With rising talent in their junior program, Tsunoda's future is far from guaranteed, making every strong performance crucial as he vies to retain his seat against other promising contenders.

The Details:

• Laurent Mekies praised Tsunoda's speed at the recent Mexico City Grand Prix, emphasizing that his 11th-place finish didn't fully reflect his true potential.
• Qualifying Performance: Mekies highlighted Tsunoda's impressive qualifying session, where he was reportedly within two-tenths of Max Verstappen in Q2.
• Race Pace: Tsunoda's first stint in the race was also noted as 'very, very strong,' maintaining a pace just two or three tenths behind Verstappen on the same long medium tire stint.
• Pit Stop Issues: Mekies admitted that a slightly prolonged pit stop and a strategic decision to keep Tsunoda out longer ultimately cost him potential points he 'would have scored on merit.'
• Rival Contenders: Isack Hadjar is strongly rumored for a promotion to Red Bull next year, while F2 rookie Arvid Lindblad is a leading candidate for a Racing Bulls drive.

What's next:

Red Bull is deliberately taking its time to finalize driver decisions, acknowledging Tsunoda's recent improvements while also evaluating the progress of other junior drivers. This patient approach suggests a thorough assessment of all options before committing to the 2025 driver roster.

• The competitive landscape within Red Bull's driver pool means Tsunoda must continue to deliver strong performances to secure his place.
• A final decision is expected in the coming weeks, which will significantly impact the careers of Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, and other young Red Bull talents.